ABSTRACT

A research project was carried out in the urban center of the town of Chala to identify the
environmental and human health impacts caused by current and small mining and artisanal
mining activities (PM and MA). in areas adjacent to the population. This report summarizes
the results of the research, including a catastrophe of the beneficiation facilities and the
results of the mining environmental studies identified in the town of Chala, based on the
results of an environmental sampling and a semi-quantitative risk assessment. for Human
Health and the Environment. A research project was carried out in the urban center of the
town of Chala to identify the environmental and human health impacts caused by current and
small mining and artisanal mining activities (PM and MA). in areas adjacent to the population.
This report summarizes the results of the research, including a catastrophe of the
beneficiation facilities and the results of the mining environmental studies identified in the
town of Chala, based on the results of an environmental sampling and a semi-quantitative
risk assessment. for Human Health and the Environment..
The general objective of the project was the identification of possible health risks for the
residents of Chala, caused by current and historical mining activities in the vicinity of the town
of Chala. Through the evaluation of historical information and environmental sampling in the
population of Chala and surrounding areas, the following Contaminants of Potential Concern
(CPP) were identified due to exceedances of Environmental Quality Standards (ECA).
The presence of groundwater containing mercury, causes it to infiltrate the sea, which could
result in a bioaccumulation of this element in fish and shellfish, which can be consumed by
the population than with other toxins. The high rates of bioaccumulation and biomagnification
of mercury in the aquatic environment were proven in a variety of studies.
The general objective of the project was the identification of possible health risks for the
residents of Chala, caused by current and historical mining activities in the vicinity of the town
of Chala. Through the evaluation of historical information and environmental sampling in the
population of Chala and surrounding areas, the following Contaminants of Potential Concern
(CPP) were identified due to exceedances of Environmental Quality Standards (ECA).
The presence of groundwater containing mercury, causes it to infiltrate the sea,
which could result in a bioaccumulation of this element in fish and shellfish, which
can be consumed by the population than with other toxins. The high rates of
bioaccumulation and biomagnification of mercury in the aquatic environment
were proven in a variety of studies.

In the same way, the fact that there are swine and chicken breeding facilities in direct
proximity to the mining activities in the area of quimbaletes opens up the possibility of a health
burden due to the consumption of contaminated meat. Therefore, an investigation of the
concentration of chemicals and other heavy metals in fish, shellfish, chicken and pork, in the
vicinity of the port or the Chala district is recommended In the same way, the fact that there
are swine and chicken breeding facilities in direct proximity to the mining activities in the area
of quimbaletes opens up the possibility of a health burden due to the consumption of
contaminated meat. Therefore, an investigation of the concentration of chemicals and other
heavy metals in fish, shellfish, chicken and pork, in the vicinity of the port or the Chala district
is recommended.
The Regional Government is recommended to initiate, in cooperation with the Regional
Energy and Mines Management (GREM), training for mineworkers in the area on clean
and more efficient technologies in the extraction of gold from minerals, with the aim of
reducing damage to the health of the miners, their relatives and the population in general,
caused by said activity. It is recommended for the district municipality, to initiate a
campaign of sensitization and awareness to the population that performs mining
activities, informing about the risks caused by the high concentrations of heavy metals
in many minerals that are processed in the area, in addition to risks associated with the
use of mercury in the amalgamation process. It can also carry out a territorial ordering,
defining exclusively urban areas, industrial areas (including a mining industrial park),
parks, recreational areas, etc The Regional Government is recommended to initiate, in
cooperation with the Regional Energy and Mines Management (GREM), training for
mineworkers in the area on clean and more efficient technologies in the extraction of
gold from minerals, with the aim of reducing damage to the health of the miners, their
relatives and the population in general, caused by said activity. It is recommended for
the district municipality, to initiate a campaign of sensitization and awareness to the
population that performs mining activities, informing about the risks caused by the high
concentrations of heavy metals in many minerals that are processed in the area, in
addition to risks associated with the use of mercury in the amalgamation process. It can
also carry out a territorial ordering, defining exclusively urban areas, industrial areas
(including a mining industrial park), parks, recreational areas, etc

KEY WORDS: bioacumulacion, biomagnificacion,